Toward accessible evaluation of the electrophysiology of human vision

Abstract

As photoreceptors in our retinas capture discrete photons, that energy is converted into an electrochemical signal which shoots back through the optic nerve and into our visual cortex. We can sample that signal as it's transmitted, by delivering specific stimuli and recording the aggregate response of the photoreceptors, but systems which accomplish this in current practice are out of reach for most ophthalmic clinics and completely unavailable to consumers. With a reimagined signal capture system and an optimized system design, I demonstrate a robust method for capturing the electrical signals emitted from the retina. With the improved accessibility and decreased cost of this technology, there are immediate opportunities for improved ophthalmic care on a broad scale. But beyond the clinical implications, accessible electroretinography presents an unprecedented opportunity for individuals to characterize their specific experience of color, contrast, and movement, making way for a whole new paradigm of tailored display technologies.